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Test your CD-ROM CD-RW or DVD drive after performing each step. Some of these steps may not apply to your computer.

	CD drive door will not eject
	Note: Drive letter access (DLA) software fixes the CD drive door locking or not ejecting.
	CD and DVD drive troubleshooting

DVD movie playback troubleshooting

CD and DVD recording troubleshooting

1. Verify the disc media used.
   Try multiple original discs (not burned copies) which are clean and free of scratches. See Information about CD and DVD media.
   Note: Dark colored discs such as black may be more difficult to read.
   
   
   
   
2. Verify that the disc is seated properly in the CD-ROM CD-RW or DVD drive.
   
   
   
   
3. Verify that the drive is seated properly in the ThinkPad system by reseating the drive.
   If another similar machine is available then verify that the drive works in the other machine and that the other drive works in this machine.
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   
   • The CD-ROM CD-RW or DVD drives cannot be removed in ThinkPad G40 and R50e systems.
     
     
   • Shut down remove the power cord and remove the battery from the ThinkPad system before removing the CD-ROM CD-RW or DVD drive.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     Go to Ultrabay device (CD-ROM CD-RW or DVD drive) removal and installation instructions

     
     
   
   
   
4. Verify that the latest BIOS for the ThinkPad system has been installed.
   Note: Embedded controller may require updating.
   
    
   Click here to view the latest BIOS files for all ThinkPad systems.
   
   
   
   
5. Verify that the latest firmware updates for the drive have been installed.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Go to download page for CD and DVD drives

   
   
   
   
6. Test the CD-ROM CD-RW or DVD drive for errors
   Note: Diagnostic testing will require an audio or data CD.
   
   
   
   
   
   • Run the PC Doctor diagnostics for all current ThinkPad A G R T X series systems. On selected ThinkPad systems PC Doctor for DOS is available by pressing the F11 key or the Access IBM button during startup to access the predesktop menu area. If these methods are not available for your system then PC Doctor for DOS may be downloaded. This DOS version requires two or more floppy diskettes depending on the ThinkPad system.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     Go to download page for PC Doctor

     
     
     
   • 
     
     

     Run the test in Easy-Setup for ThinkPad 600 600E770 770E/ED 770X and 770Z systems.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     1. Press and hold the F1 key then turn on the computer. Hold the F1 key until the Easy-Setup menu appears. If a password prompt appears type the correct password.
        
        
     2. Select Test.
        
        
     3. Click the CD-ROM-1 or DVD-1 symbol to run the basic test. The results will be displayed as blue OK or red error codes.
        
        
     4. Press the Ctrl-A keys to select the advanced tests.
        
        
     5. Click Exit and then click Exit again.
        
        
     6. Click CD-ROM-1 or DVD-1 again to start the advanced test.
        Note: The exact procedure may vary slightly.
        
        
   
   
   
7. Verify that the CD-ROM CD-RW or DVD drive is detected by Microsoft Windows operating systems.
   Verify the drive is identified with no conflicts in Microsoft Windows Device Manager.
   
   
   

    

   
   
   
   
   
   
   1. For Windows 2000 click Start select Settings and then click Control Panel. Double-click System.
      For Windows XP click Start and then click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance and then click System.
      
      
   2. Click the Hardware tab and then click the Device Manager button.
      Example:
      
      
      
   3. If the device is "conflicted" (indicated with a red "X" or yellow "!") uninstall the driver in Windows Device Manager and restart the system or scan for hardware changes. To scan for hardware changes right-click the drive and select Scan for hardware changes.
      
      
   
   
   
8. Open the My Computer icon on the desktop. If the drive is detected then the list of drives should include Compact Disc (X:) or disc title where X is the drive letter.
   Example:
   
   
   
   
   
9. If these steps have not solved your problem
   
   
10. 
    
    
    
    
    
    1. Continue to DVD movie playback troubleshooting or CD and DVD recording troubleshooting.
       
       
    2. 
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

       Browse for other CD and DVD drive tips for your system

       
       
       
    3. Refer to "Need more help?

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1. Verify the drive is capable of playing DVD movies.
   DVD should be written on the outside cover of the drive.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Verify that the latest drivers are installed.
   Verify that the latest audio video and Microsoft DirectX drivers for the operating system and ThinkPad system have been installed properly according to the install instructions and readme from the software and device driver files . (Click here to learn what a device driver is.)
   
   
   
   
3. Try a different drive or different brand of DVD media.
   Due to the variance in DVD-R DVD-RW DVD+R and DVD+RW media some movies or data on DVD-R DVD-RW DVD+R and DVD+RW media may not be read by some drives.
   
   
   
   
4. Verify that the latest DVD player software is installed.
   Verify that the latest version of the preloaded DVD player software (Mediamatics DVDExpress or InterVideo WinDVD DVD player) has been properly installed and configured including Region codes if applicable.
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   

   
   
   
   • Do not change Region codes unnecessarily. All drives have a limit as to the number of times Region codes can be changed.
     
     
   • The DVD player software available for download is for upgrade purposes only and requires the original version to be installed on the system.
     
     
   • Not all ThinkPad systems shipped with the DVD player software. If shipped with your system the full version of this software can be found in the C:\\\\ibmtools\\\\apps directory. This only applies if you are using the preloaded software image as shipped.
     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Go to download page for DVD player software

   
   
   
   
5. Verify that the DVD movie playback is shown on the primary display.
    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   1. For Windows 2000 click Start select Settings and then click Control Panel. Double-click Display.
      For Windows XP click Start and then click Control Panel. Click Appearance and Themes and then click Display.
      
      
   2. Click the Settings tab.
      
      
   3. Click the Advanced button.
      
      
   4. Click the Displays tab to adjust the primary display.
      
      
   
   
   
6. If these steps have not solved your problem
   
   
   
   
   
   1. Continue to CD and DVD drive troubleshooting or CD and DVD recording troubleshooting.
      
      
   2. 
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      

      Browse for other CD and DVD drive tips for your system

      
      
      
   3. Refer to "Need more help?

Back to top

1. Verify the drive is capable of recording a CD or DVD.
   CD-RW Multi-Burner or Multi-Recorder should be written on the outside cover of the drive.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Verify the disc is the correct media format supported by the drive.
   See Information about CD and DVD media.
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   
   • In some cases trying a different brand of media may be helpful. Some brands of "R" or "RW" media may function differently than others with your drive. Trying a different drive may also be helpful.
     
     
   • Dark colored discs such as black may be more difficult to write.
     
     
   
   
   
3. 
   
   

   Verify that the latest version of the recording software is installed.
   Verify that the latest version of the Record Now and DLA CD-RW software has been properly installed and configured.
   Note: The recording software available for download is for upgrade purposes only and requires the original version to be installed on the system.
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Go to download page for CD and DVD drives

   
   
   
   
4. When recording data ensure all other applications are closed.
   Performing other tasks may divert system resources and cause recording failures.
   
   
   
   
5. If recording was unsuccessful try writing at a lower speed.
   
   
   
   
6. If these steps have not solved your problem:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Browse for other CD and DVD drive tips for your system

   Or refer to "Need more help?